The Shadow & The Draw by RD Baker

When all hell breaks loose, their one chance for the truth will be their last. Cora is Fated to marry the next Alpha of her demon clan and become queen. But all the power in the world means nothing if she can’t have who she truly loves most of all—the Alpha’s Draw, Amryn. Even though the clan leaders forbid the relationship between ruler and bodyguard, they still can’t seem to keep themselves apart. But when angels ambush their clan, calling Cora the Shadow Queen and causing forgotten memories to resurface, she begins to question the hand Fate has dealt her. No one can be trusted. Nowhere is safe. While Cora and Amryn flee to find answers, they’ll realize the deception stretches further than they could’ve ever imagined. And with cosmic powers on both sides seeking their destruction, their love will either be their salvation…or their doom.

Scythe and Pen by A.C. Hobbs

Demetrius Raske strikes a deal with the Devil to stop a monster stalking the city, but he may have unleashed another villain entirely… The Capital of the United League of Nations glitters like jewels on a dame’s neck—a city of wicked splendor and possibility. The deals struck in the Senate are as ruthless as the ones struck in the city’s criminal underbelly. No one knows this better than vampire politician Demetrius Raske, who walks both worlds. Demetrius fights for a bill that will grant humans and vampires equal civil liberties. But many citizens don’t share his sentiment, especially after the murders begin. Body after body, drained of blood, appear throughout the city, threatening the League’s tenuous peace treaty between humans and vampires. If Demetrius’s bill doesn’t pass the Senate, his campaign for a united future will be crushed. Only one man has the ability to apprehend the bloodthirsty monster—a man known simply as the Devil. And rumor has it, he isn’t a man at all. Together, they strike a deal to catch the murderer before Demetrius’s bill fails—a disaster that would push the League to the brink of civil war. But Demetrius’s calculated moves don’t go unnoticed. He catches the attention of Gabriella Rose, a journalist whose hunt for her next big headline pushes her right into the murderer’s path, costing her everything she holds dear. Now something dark grows within Gabriella—a power her allies wish to control and her enemies want to exploit. The only way Demetrius and Gabriella can save themselves—and the city they love—is to strike another deal with the Devil. But their villainous partner is playing his own game. And soon they will learn how the Devil earned his name.

Silver Star, Red Dragon by C.A. Chaplin

Immortal love begets immortal conflict. Millennia into a self-imposed solitude, elvish healer Cúraniel is content. She has her garden, the Great Tree, and her goddess. That is, until fate brings a dying soulmate to her hill. Twice. The Red Dragon, called the “God of Carnage” for all the elves he’s slain. An elf king, begging her to join his cause. Drawn into a mysterious war threatening the very existence of her people, Cúraniel must turn to their oldest enemy for aid; the Red Dragon himself. She is a moth to his destructive flame, but he loathes her other soulmate. The feeling is mutual, and backed by a court who blames her for the Dragon’s malice. Can Cúraniel make peace between her hostile soulmates, a society who shuns her, and the darkness threatening to swallow them all? “Silver Star, Red Dragon” is an epic dark romantic fantasy for those who wished “Lord of the Rings” had a bit more “Kushiel’s Dart.”

Corrupted Tides by S.M. Campbell

Centuries ago, the gods of earth and sea went to war and ravaged the worlds of humans. Now, the oceans have swelled and mortals have made their homes on floating cities, using precious sea glass as the key to their survival. Vila is one of those survivors, fighting every day for control in this brutal world as a Blue Lady and prize fighter. But when a strange corruption seeps through the waters of the Planks, Vila must find allies in an unlikely group to help the people she loves. Narrio is a master thief, making his way on wits, charm and luck; until a secret cult recruits him for a mysterious mission. Now he must travel to the Planks for what may be his most dangerous heist yet. Something is coming, and it threatens the existence of all. When the moon rises, the seas will change, and nothing will ever be the same. Welcome to the world of the Swell. Welcome to Corrupted Tides

Werecats Resurgent by Mark J. Engels

*** FINALE OF A COMPLETE SERIES! *** Cornered, captured, and determined to make their stand… After springing her lover from the brig, Pawly and her family make ready to swipe a container from an ocean freighter transiting Lake Michigan—one containing the genetic material needed to save her mother from the debilitating effects of her unsated bloodlust. All according to Mawro's plan, him having laid a trap for them on behalf of his rogue state employer. But Mawro's superiors spring a trap of their own, exploiting Pawly's feral rage by revealing to her a horrific secret from her past. Chaos ensues, leaving members of her family kidnapped, their remote island hideaway in flames, and her mother at death's door. Now Pawly and the family—together with some unlikely new allies—must journey halfway around the world on a veritable suicide mission, a final showdown to rescue their loved ones and to quell her kind's lethal bloodlust once and for all. Werecats Resurgent is the third and final installment of the Forest Exiles Saga featuring the modern-day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats, torn apart as militaries on three continents vie to exploit their deadly talents. Stories which fans of Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson franchise and Brad Magnarella’s Blue Wolf series can sink their teeth into!

Werecats Convergent by Mark J. Engels

*** NEXT IN A COMPLETE SERIES! *** Defeated, conflicted, and on the run… Born in an ethnic Chicago neighborhood following her family’s escape from Cold War-era Poland, were-lynx Pawly flees underground to protect her loved ones after genetically enhanced soldiers led by rogue scientist and rival werecat Mawro overrun her Navy unit in the Gulf of Oman. Pawly’s family seeks her out in a desperate gambit to return to their ancestral homeland and reconcile with their estranged kinsmen. But when her human lover arrives to thwart Mawro’s plan to weaponize their feral bloodlust, Pawly must face a daunting choice: preserve her family secrets and risk her lover’s life or chance her true nature driving him away forever. Werecats Convergent is the second installment of the Forest Exiles Saga featuring the modern-day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats, torn apart as militaries on three continents vie to exploit their deadly talents. Stories which fans of Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson franchise and Brad Magnarella’s Blue Wolf series can sink their teeth into!

Werecats Emergent by Mark J. Engels

*** FIRST IN A COMPLETE SERIES! *** Afflicted, exploited, and deadly… Teenaged Pawly discovers her secret werecat heritage after unexpectedly morphing into a lynx one Halloween night. She and her twin brother thrill as they explore their newly revealed abilities, never far from the watchful eye of their blended human-werecat family. But the old folks know that unless they can find an outlet for the twins’ growing bloodlust, they will both soon turn feral. Meanwhile, Pawly’s uncle Ritzi scrambles to develop a means to sate her and her brother’s lethal urges. Resuming his deported father’s scientific research and desperate for funding, Ritzi draws notice from a nefarious rogue state eager to help—and to exploit the twins’ lethal potential. As her family strives to keep the twins’ blood rage in check, Pawly finds herself caught between a Chicago-area drug cartel and the rogue state wooing her uncle. While either could aid in reining in her inner beast, neither has her family’s best interest at heart. Unless a solution can be found quickly, Pawly and her brother will both succumb to their feral natures. And this time, more than just the family pet will end up torn to shreds. Werecats Emergent and additional Forest Exiles Saga books feature the modern-day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats, torn apart as militaries on three continents vie to exploit their deadly talents. Stories which fans of Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson franchise and Brad Magnarella’s Blue Wolf series can sink their teeth into!

Offset: Book 2- Children of the Gulf by Delvin Howell

Magic is violent. No one understood this more than Kyle Harding, a young stick-licker from the Caribbean island of Bimshire, where miracles are sold every day. The problem is, each one comes with a burdensome debt. As an obeah witch, Kyle's mother has built a massive debt which was passed on to her sons upon her death. And now Gulfsyde, a duo of brutal assassins notorious for leaving carnage in their wake, has come to collect. With a past drenched in blood, fire and bodies, Gulfsyde aims to retire with one final kill. But Kyle has a little brother—Damien—to protect, and he will not lose any more family to the obeah trade. Though bus stops ignite, and devastating magical weapons form against him, Kyle defends his home with only the lowly sugarcane his mother left behind.

Offset: Book 1- The Mask of Bimshire by Delvin Howell

Magic is Expensive. An underground obeah trade lies within the Caribbean island of Bimshire, where miracles are sold every day. The problem is, each one comes with a burdensome debt. As a child, Kyle Harding thought Bimshire a frightening place. Bus stops glow. Flute music haunts the air. And the shadows themselves stalk him. With his mother dead, and a baby brother—Damien—to raise, Kyle had much to endure growing up. But when a serial killer attacks his home, Kyle is forced down a bloody path where he discovers the history surrounding his family and the massive debts his mother left behind.

The Antagonist's Prison by DJ Jones

“No one deserves Critch.” It is said by heathens and oligarchs. Heard in the darkest alleyways of Indigo Bay. Whispered by those who don’t know. And as a warning in The City Beneath the Bay. It’s been three years since Aaron Bennett banished Critch to the corners of his mind. But that smile still gleams, waiting in its cage. Aaron is stable until Jaslynn Phillips offers him a human connection for the first time. Unfortunately, just as Jaslynn’s true intentions emerge, a monster trudges out of the harbor and kidnaps her. Critch seizes this opportunity and explodes from his mental cell. Despite Aaron’s meticulous control over his past, his future, and his own mind, his control was more fragile than he believed. In order to rescue Jaslynn from The City Beneath, he must revive his old life of violence, fear and the wealthy beyond measure.

Keep Me by Brien Feathers

Time is a great wheel, and history repeats itself... unless it breaks, plunging the city of the living into the realm of death. Reaper volunteers to drive his sensei home to Yukiyama, believing the road trip will benefit his teacher’s spiraling mental health. However, unbeknownst to them both, a thousand-year-old enemy has resurrected and awaits them at Moonlight. Out of time and options, Ayame must go to the Immortal Court. But Jade Palace is a thicket of tall grass teeming with slithering snakes, and she must discern friend from foe if she intends to return to the floating world to help her family. Death descends upon Nara as Immortal Father comes to Sunlit City in search of the royal diviner. As the final hour approaches, everyone must choose their allegiances, including Ayame, whose father and lord are destined to clash. Keep Me is the conclusion to the Royal Diviner Trilogy and has content advisory for violence and intimate situations.

Find Me by Brien Feathers

No crime is too atrocious to save a beloved. Storm spirit Reiko meets the peculiar girl, Yuki, at the Palace of a Thousand Rays to continue the story of Immortal Ayame and Warlord Kyuzo on the road to Sunlit City. Nara winter is harsh, and enemies wait around the bend. The entourage arrives at the capital with a loss of life. Yet the dying is only beginning. When the emperor crowns Sora, the Ishii clashes head-on with Prince Hissing Blade. In the twisted games the dark diviner plays Ayame becomes a hostage, and to save her Kyuzo must break an oath to his emperor. The Sinai War begins in the second installment of the Royal Diviner Trilogy, and heavy losses mount on both sides. Full of heartbreak, betrayal, magic, and morally grey characters, Find Me is a dark fantasy tale with a hefty dose of romance. Reader discretion is advised for violence and intimate situations.

Remember Me by Brien Feathers

Guard your heart and go home or fall for a stranger and perish. Reiko is the immortal spirit of the storm. Seeking to unravel a reoccurring dream that perplexes her, she visits the mortal realm during the Soul Festival and boards a train to the historical district of Sunlit City. There, in the imperial palace of old Nara, she finds no answers, only more questions as a peculiar girl indulges her with a tale of a disgraced deity and a mortal warlord. Ayame has a bad temper. She slapped the Immortal Emperor’s sorceress, and her punishment was to spend a decade on earth as a mortal—a task easier said than done. Nara is amidst its centuries long warring era, the age of the warlords. To navigate this treacherous new world, Ayame befriends a wine-loving, trickster fox spirit, and scrapes by as a servant in the household of one of the greater clans. Toiling day and night, she’s made do for five years and dreams of the day she can return home. But war arrives. When death announces itself outside her door, she assumes the identity of a noble and finds herself betrothed to the youngest son of an enemy clan, his father a ruthless warlord. To live, Ayame must play her role, but she soon she finds herself dangerously drawn not to her intended husband, but to the infamous warlord himself. In the tumultuous world of a warring empire, trouble is always on the horizon. Betrayals run deep within families and clans, and nothing is as it seems. All Ayame wants is to survive her banishment and return home, yet she may risk it all for a mortal man. A vicious killer, twice her age, nothing is right about him, including his insanely possessive concubine out to get Ayame. She knows it, but can she control her temperament, or will she find herself at odds with yet another court, this time a deadly one? A slow burn dark fantasy, Remember Me is Book 1 of the Royal Diviner Trilogy, and comes with content advisory for violence and intimate situations.

Prince and the Throne by Brien Feathers

Fedosian winters are cold, but colder still are lovers turned strangers. As autumn turns and winter settles over Fedosia, cold has seeped in between Sofia and Aleksei. She loves him still, but the archmage's memory spell has made her a stranger in his eyes. They hardly speak anymore, and their troubles only compound when they arrive in Sarostia and discover Duke Rodion of the Red Den has his own ambitions for the throne. He desires war-and not just with the Guards. Lev is holed up at Usolya Fortress, but evil lurks in the Bone Country as the days shorten and the nights lengthen. When allies turn to enemies and dark alchemy haunts the halls of the Guard Fortress, he alone must hunt down a necromancer far more powerful than he imagines. Prince and the Throne is the second book in the Fedosian Wars series, a plot-heavy, character-driven dark fantasy with romance where morals are shades of grey. Content This is an adult dark fantasy with

Serpent and the Throne by Brien Feathers

In Fedosian court, love is deadlier than war. Of the nine great houses of Fedosia, nine houses of alchemy, none hate each other more than the Red Shields and the White Guards. The queen is a Shield, the archmage a Guard, and bad blood has been brewing for a century.Sofia is a Guard, wed to a count twice her age with three stepdaughters who despise her. Forbidden from leaving the house, she spends her days speaking to her stuffed macaw and playing with the shadows. But all changes when the count receives a summons from the queen, requiring all nobility of Fedosia to attend the prince’s birthday.Fedosia is vast, and Sofia travels to the capital with the count and his daughters—an adventure of a lifetime, and she’s excited.The prince is strange, and the throne has its secrets, but true trouble begins when Sofia falls for Aleksei, the captain of the Imperial Sentinels and the queen’s nephew. He’s ten years younger, and worse, he’s a Shield.The archmage is furious, the Royal Cup ends in blood and fire, the count turns up dead, and dark magic sparks war between the houses. As the great families draw their blades, Sofia runs away with Aleksei, but they don’t get far. Not all enemies come from other houses. Some are much closer.Serpent and the Throne is the first book in the four-book Fedosian War series, a plot-heavy, character-driven dark fantasy romance where morals are shades of grey.Content Advisory: this is an adult dark fantasy with depictions of violence, strong language, and intimate scenes.

Land by Bjørn Larssen

Love. Land. Loss. Happy Never After. The truth Maya fought for all her life turns out to be a lie a thousand years long. She neither understands nor knows how to wield her hidden power, simultaneously endless and limited, forcing her to face responsibility for the harm she causes and parry countless questions she has no answers to. Neither time nor space can stop her – but can she stop herself? Bound with an unbreakable love spell, Magni and Thorolf, raised in darkness and pain, share only one thing: a fear of revealing their truths. One was born to be a God; the other only knows a slave’s life. One craves peace and quiet; the other believes peace to be a brief reprieve between wars. As they mourn those they have lost, the constant war of their own threatens to destroy all they have left – each other. Haunted by Gods old and new, in the shadow of Odin’s raven, they head to conquer the new Ásgard. Apart from their demons, nothing and nobody is what it seems. Unwilling to give up love, freedom, or land they’re fated to live happily never after… unless destiny can be altered after all?

A Tragedy of Sacrifice by Kaylea Prime

Freedom demands sacrifice, but only from those brave enough to inspire change. Haunted by a life-shattering decision she will forever regret, Arínor craves a sense of belonging instead of being branded as wicked. Feared for her Celestial magic and her ability to shape-shift into a lightning bird, she draws unwanted attention both from supporters and opposers of the evil Vashi. When her own people accuse her of treachery and threaten her family’s lives, Arínor flees Arwé through a portal to Earth, sacrificing everything she knows to protect those she loves. Then she meets Clemency. Though restricted by society’s expectations of a married woman and mother in 1769 Boston, Clemency longs to influence change with her astute political insights on the rising tensions between the Patriots and Loyalists. When she meets Arínor, a woman seemingly freed from the constraints imprisoning Clemency, she is inspired to start an empowering women’s group and try publishing her political writing. Arínor, in turn, is inspired to use her Void magic for healing instead of deprivation. But as their friendship grows, and Arínor’s feelings for Clemency deepen, tensions escalate in Massachusetts. Rallies turn to riots, jealousy and fear weave webs of distrust, and rumours of witchcraft follow in Arínor’s wake. Faced with once again losing everything she loves, Arínor must choose whether to right her wrongs and sacrifice for the greater good or embrace her wickedness and become the person everyone fears her to be. A Tragedy of Sacrifice is a prequel novella set almost one hundred and fifty years before A Spark From Embers - volume one in the fantasy series, Tears of Flame.

Wicked tides by Courtney Leigh

The waters are filled with terrors and the waves are red with blood... Treson Harbor is a place plagued by terrifyingly beautiful monsters from the deep and they're hungry. When no man is safe on the water, pirates and fishermen alike, people look to hunters. Vidar "Bone Heart" Woelfson is the Captain of the Burning Rose, a ship known for its blood red sails and the ruthless nature of its crew. He has hunted more sirens than any other ship on the sea and unlike most, Vidar hardly does it for the money. He is haunted by events from his childhood and lives to see every daughter of the sea slaughtered. Dahlia knows the ship with red sails well, but she knows its captain even better. The man who took everything from her as a child still hunts her waters and she will end him if it's the last thing she does. Scarred and vengeful, Vidar and Dahlia will soon cross paths again after eighteen years and things certainly will not be peaceful. But even greater horrors might force the two together in an unwilling partnership. Their rivalry runs deep... their love will run deeper... but not without bloodshed. ***This book contains violence, graphic sexual situations, and language. Please visit my website for a more detailed list of trigger warnings***

Worthy of Fate by A.N. Caudle

The Gem Marked by the Gods, Kya is forced to partake in a Trial for a chance to be deemed Worthy. If she succeeds, she'll be gifted great powers. If she fails, she could lose her life or worse. But that's only the start of her worries. Now, the same plague that took her home is spreading and threatening the fate of the realm. Can Kya survive the Trial of the Gods and gain the needed power to rid the world of the growing threat before it's too late? Or will she be drawn to what awaits her in the shadows? The Shadow Ryker has waited a long time for her-his mate. Now he's found her. He plans to claim what is rightfully his, but dark forces threaten to destroy his Nation should he embrace the bond he so desperately desires. Unable to escape the drive to be near her, he waits for his precious gem, lingering in her shadow. Worthy of Fate is the first book in a new adult, dark fantasy romance series with an intriguing magic system, dark forces, Spirits, and forbidden fated mates.

Heir of Illusions and Others by Rachanee Lumayno

How do you step into your power when you have none? “Oh, Endri. Don’t say never. You’ll get it soon, I’m sure.” It’s a sentiment I’ve heard countless times. You would think living in the kingdom of Annlyn, land of shapeshifters, would make my own talent come easier. Except my shapeshifting ability has yet to appear—much to the embarrassment of my birth family, who abandoned me years ago. But even under the tutelage of my adopted father Pazho, I still haven’t unlocked my talents. And maybe I never will. So when we hear rumors of—and start finding—other shapeshifters who are forced into their animal forms, unable to turn back, I’m safe. For now. Because whatever is hunting the people of Annlyn has set its sights on my family, my new friends from Calia, Annlyn’s crown princess … And me. Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Illusions and Others is the sixth book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a new character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels.

Heir of Secrets and Spectres by Rachanee Lumayno

I thought planning a wedding would be easy, but I was so wrong. “Farrah … There are important matters that we must discuss. Please return home soon.” The Fae part of my heritage demands that I need to get my estranged Fae father’s blessing. I haven’t seen him in years, and I don’t know where in Faerie he is, but if I don’t get his blessing, it will turn into a curse that will eventually poison my upcoming marriage. But Faerie is no place for humans. For some unknown creature is creating havoc in Faerie, killing its citizens—and the chaos is spreading into the human world and my home country, Shonn. The Seelie Court needs to elect a new king or queen. And to get that elusive blessing, the Seelie Court’s interim leader, High Chancellor Lord Chela, has made me his representative in the upcoming Trials to find their new ruler. The hopefuls’ task? Find the creature responsible for the murders around Faerie. Before it finds us. Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Secrets and Spectres is the fifth book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a new character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels.

Heir of Crowns and Curses by Rachanee Lumayno

Kidnapping. Curses. Trying to stop a magical cult from taking over the world. No one told me this was what being a godparent would be like. No one is more surprised than me when I get the request: "Rhyss, we would be honored if you would stand as Coran's godfather." For this happy-go-lucky mercenary, it's not the sort of thing I get asked often. Or would even want to do. But you don't say no to your best friends, who also happen to be the King and Queen of Calia. Even if saying yes means pledging my life and protection to their newborn son, the Crown Prince Coran. At the christening, my new vow is immediately tested when the baby is stolen away by a secret society. Now I, along with Farrah, another dear friend, must cross a haunted forest and deal with pirates in the seedy kingdom of Bomora. My former home. Where I have to face the demons of my past. Before they unleash an ancient magic that could destroy all of the Gifted Lands. Should be easy. Right? Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Crowns and Curses is the fourth book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a new character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels.

Heir of Magic and Mischance by Rachanee Lumayno

What do you do when you become the very thing you were taught to hate? All I, Adalynn Taethen, have ever wanted to do was to serve my beloved home, the kingdom of Rothschan, in their famed military. Not only did I grow up knowing it was my duty, but I also hoped it would change the fortunes of my impoverished family. But on the day of my enrollment, a disastrous meeting reveals my family’s long-dormant enemy. Someone my parents have kept secret from me for years. Along with other family secrets. I have a surprise of my own—I can do magic. But in Rothschan, where magic is hated and anyone who wields it is feared and killed, my life is forfeit. So I escape to the northern kingdom of Calia to learn more about my newfound magical powers. And maybe I’ll even learn more about my family secrets there, too. But first I have to master my magic before it destroys me. And before my enemy finds me and destroys everything I hold dear. Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Magic and Mischance is the third book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a new character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels.

Heir of Mystery and Shadow by Rachanee Lumayno

The course of true love never did run smooth. Especially because it usually leads to death. I may be one of the most gifted Seekers in the kingdom of Orchwell, but it's usually my twin sister who gets the most commissions. Because everyone wants to find their true love. But my side of the family Seeking gift, finding lost loves? Not so much. Because if it ended in heartbreak once, it will probably lead to heartbreak again. Still, a job's a job. So when Lady Adallia hires me to find her own lost love, I say yes, even though I'd like nothing more than to be rid of my ability. But the noblewoman neglected to tell me some important details about her commission. And now I, Kaernan Asthore, along with my Seeker team and my mysterious noblewoman patron, have to outsmart an infamous gang of bounty hunters and uncover Lady Adallia's secrets, before her quest to find her lost love causes us to lose our lives. Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Memory and Shadow is the second book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels.

Fall, Sacred Apple by Emory Glass

The pact is bleeding. What started as a bountiful covenant between a Republic and the goddess who sustains it now suffers a drought of faith. Should a famine of devotees follow, the Blood Mother will uproot the pact. Civilisation will collapse. In the midst of these uncertain times, Corbha, a warrior-nun of steadfast faith, eagerly awaits her brother's birth. He will be the first child born at Madhcha Abbey in twenty-four years. If his delivery suggests divine favour, Corbha and her siblings are to punish a trio of disobedient senators. They have propagated the Republic's growing disregard for the Blood Mother and Her Eightfold Orchard. That cannot stand. For Einaid, a doomsday cultist in hiding, the child's birth raises questions about the abbey and its inhabitants. The answers are scandalous enough to spark widespread dissent should they fall into the wrong hands—and nothing would please Einaid more than igniting the flame that makes Her Orchard burn. Fall, Sacred Apple is a tragic dark fantasy drama washed in insidious and eldritch botanical horror.

Rotting In Vain by Lady Kilroy

"I am not the damsel. I am the weapon their parents warned them not to touch." Legends say the fae only exist because our gods are dead. That we were originally the vermin that feasted on their flesh. As future Queen of the Dhadren Fae, I can tell you I've never wielded the power of a god. I feel nothing in this land of death and decay. An ancient malevolence has taken my home hostage with the curse of a blight, and for twenty years I have been rotting in this cage, stalked by a beast and hunted by shadows that lure me into the night. And even though my mind is screaming for me to follow them, to let them catch me… I need to survive this world. I need to become the liberator my people need. Because if I don't, I’ll become the crown to a kingdom of dust and famine.

The Dark Empress by Joseph S Samaniego

In a world shadowed by an ancient darkness, a mage rushes to oppose an oncoming evil, facing not only her ancestral line but the fears within her own heart. The world is in danger as Fatima, a talented necromancer from an ancient order, and Cailin face the resurrected ancestor from Fatima’s bloodline with the goal of sinking the world into a revenge fueled abyss. Now, as betrayal echoes through the halls of the order, neither mage knows who to trust. It is a race against destiny that Fatima and Cailin find themselves in. Fighting the physical manifestations of an undead witch, her children, and followers, all the while fighting the demons within themselves. Does Fatima have what it takes to overcome her past and her family’s past?

The Poisoner by I.V. Ophelia

"Have you ever wondered how long it would take for a lethal dose of arsenic to kill you? Thirty-five hours, twenty-nine minutes, and fifteen seconds. I should know. I counted myself." Amidst the gaslit alleys and cobblestone streets of Victorian London, two killers find themselves entangled in a waltz they cannot escape. Alina Lis, a botanist and hobbyist poisoner, has a pastime of killing unsavory men in her twisted sense of poetic justice. When she targets the conceited playboy, Silas Forbes, only to find him in her apothecary the following week, she discovers human men are the least of her problems. The pair’s unlikely association sparks gossip among affluent society. As their mysterious bond deepens, a chilling truth emerges—concealed identities, lurking foes, and questions as plentiful as the hydra’s head brew within this haunting Gothic tale of violent passion. Will Silas and Alina find themselves in each other's arms, or will the shadows of their past keep them apart?

Heirs of Destruction by T.N. Vitus

A spymaster forced to train with Adristan’s most secretive order. A war commander disgusted by death. A lord damned to repeat history if he cannot master it. Asriel Veservus is not ready to inherit power. Though he is heir to the noble house dedicated to documenting history, his High Lord father has left him to his own devices. Regarded as a fool, he stumbles through congresses, coasting on his charm as he attempts to find allies in a very fragile political landscape. Rather than attempt to offer wisdom, his father chooses instead to build up Asriel’s half-sister into a weapon. Rhaella cannot inherit power. As her father’s bastard, she is relegated to relative obscurity, though she has more potential. Her keen senses combined with her low societal status allows her to go unnoticed as the spymaster. The nobles condescend to her, even as they fear the secrets she keeps. While she is content to keep to the shadows, it is those talents that catch the attention of her house’s ally, the justice-keeping House Midar. Virgil Midar does not want power. He abhors the necessity of violence as their nation sinks deeper into a bloody conflict. Charged with fighting toward peace, he grasps for humanity amongst ambitious and scheming nobles. When his father’s chief advisor begins pushing for Virgil to marry, his focus narrows on ending the war so he can levy the victory against it. His feelings begin to shift when House Veservus’s spymaster comes to his aid with strategy. With the threat of battle ever-looming on the horizon, they band together to uncover just how deep traitorous blood runs in their houses. Traitors wish to see a tyrannical monarchy put back into power at the expense of the noble houses. Around them, their peers are just as ill-prepared and vulnerable to the corrosive nature of power. The collective future of the nation lies on an uncertain foundation, and it may only take one whispered secret to dismantle the entire thing. Heirs of Destruction is the first book in The Crownkiller Saga, a new high-fantasy series by award-winning indie author T.N. Vitus.

Three Curses and Other Dark Tales by Leanbh Pearson

Come closer, let me tell you a tale or three. Sit nearer the firelight and if you notice the folk in the shadows, best not garner their attention. Beware the gifts, treasures and promises you make along this journey. There are temptations and curses too, plenty of those. From the tricks of jinn, vengeful Ancient Mesopotamian goddesses, the Hidden People and shadowy deals with demons & devils—many. In our journey through fairy tales reimagined, legends and folklore, and alternate histories, beware the uncanny folk who prey on unwary travellers. Mind your step now, keep your senses sharp, take nothing offered and you might evade those beings hidden just beyond the reach of the firelight.

Cursed Shards: Tales of Dark Folklore by Leanbh Pearson

Be careful what you wish for… We’ve all heard childhood fairy tales and hearthside stories passed from generation to generation warning us of unseen dangers lurking in the dark forest, the glimpse of a future in watery reflections and to be wary of objects and people offering impossible gifts. The Fae are ageless beings dwelling between light and shadow, stalking the moonlit nights and wielding powerful gifts and curses. Welcome to Cursed Shards, a collection of dark fantasy stories inspired by folklore, legends, fairy tales and mythology. Ten authors spin ten different tales ranging from deserts, icy mountains and dark forests to legendary warriors to the mythical Fae. A realm where the landscape is as volatile as the rulers and an ancient cursed mirror, a once-powerful magical artefact created with blood magic was shattered before it could be used against the realm. A cursed mirror broken but never destroyed. Ten shards remain: now disguised and repurposed into ordinary items that are traded, stolen, and sold between rulers, common folk and the Fae. Whenever a shard re-appears its curse influences the decisions of all who come within reach. Table of Contents: FOREWORD – Kirstyn McDermott (Australia) THE CURSED HUNT – Leanbh Pearson (Australia) TATTERMOG – Louise Pieper (Australia) THE WITHERED – Mendel Mire (Australia) THE PHANTOM QUEEN – K. B. Elijah (Australia) LADY MARIAN’S GAMBIT – Clare Rhoden (Australia) THE STRENGTH OF BONES – McKenzie Richardson (USA) ONCE UPON AN AUTOMATON – Nikky Lee (New Zealand) THE WRAITH OF MURKDRES – Stephen Herczeg (Australia) CHILDREN OF THE WOODS – Amber M. Simpson (USA) THE LADY OF STRANGENESSE – Leife Shallcross (Australia)

The Dark Queen's Apothecary by Cassandra L. Thompson

Andrei cannot believe his good fortune when he is summoned by the beautiful yet formidable Queen Viorica to serve as her personal apothecary. But he soon learns that things at her dark castle are not what they seem. Haunted by his growing obsession for her, Andrei falls helplessly into her thrall and soon discovers her dark secret. Unafraid, he destroys the competition around him and takes his rightful place by her side. Lost to passion and bloodlust, the two are caught unaware when the queen’s adversaries make their move. But what no one realized was that Queen Viorica created a monstrous king out of the once timid Andrei, bearing a love strong enough to make kingdoms burn.

Ménage à Claws by Amelia Lascaux

Sloane Connelly was desperate for an escape from her horrible boss and manipulative father. So for her 32nd birthday, Sloane takes a long overdue beach vacation to the Outer Banks. Her trip is derailed when she runs into her ex, Tāne, the plant elemental who broke her teenage heart. Determined not to waste this second chance, she takes his offer for a fresh start: to work at his new openly magic bar and gives their relationship another shot. Maybe she could finally break free from her father's influence and find joy in her life again. When she meets Nivya, her new metamour and a snow leopard shifter, she's determined to fit in to this new polyamorous world. But the more she and Nivya work together at the bar, the more Sloane wants to be with her. After years of being told by her father how disappointing and unworthy Sloane is, does she deserve the opportunity for two loves? And when her father demands more from her than ever before, can Sloane finally take back control of her life? This book is for adult readers as it contains dark themes of trauma, abuse, violence, and detailed explicit spice.

The Blood Curse by Jessica A. McMinn

"Darker, grander, richer, and filled with even more delicious emotional turmoil, The Blood Curse is simply everything you could ever wish for in a sequel, and then so much more." — Grimdark Magazine "...a master-class in character" — The Empty Bookshelf Amika has left Holania in ruins. Grief-stricken and betrayed, she is on a fiery path to set things right—even if it means submitting to prophecy’s chain. Emboldened by her growing powers, Amika heads towards the wastelands of Qhoraak to rescue her brother and drag another Chosen into destiny’s sick game. With demonspawn mobilising in unprecedented numbers, she and Rei-Hai Shaw must confront the dangers awaiting them beyond the western border… and those lurking within their shadows. Kriah, adrift at sea, struggles with the aftermath of breaking the first seal. Now, Azet’haal and his Meah-Hyren army know of the plan to revive the Goddess and it’s only a matter of time before they make their move on the mainland. But as a new threat spreads across the east, Kriah must uncover the origins of the deadly blood plague and convince the vulnerable people of Whyt’hallen that it is not the old Sickness they fear. Or did breaking the first seal release more than just a lock on the Goddess’s soul?

Ocean's Blood by Thelma Mantey

“With my blood, I bind you. I bind your body and your soul. My blood will fulfill your destiny. You will be my shield and my sword. You will be my voice. You will depend on me as I will depend on you. You will defend my life with yours, and I will do the same for you. This Bond is sacred. It shall only be broken by death.” Vindt’s tranquil life as a lord’s son comes to an abrupt end when his homeland is overthrown. Friends, family, his freedom—he loses it all to Singers and their dark song magic. Human in appearance, Singers are a different species. Their powers only fail against the demons hunting them. But even this flaw has a patch: humans with a rare and valuable “trait”. It allows Singers to take over their voice and use it like a weapon. Vindt turned out to possess this trait, and was bound to a Singer by blood. Ever since, he has struggled to break free. Unexpectedly, a chain of events binds him to a new Singer: the sly and enigmatic Asche. From day one, their egos clash. Only, their encounter was no coincidence; Asche needs him—but for what? To free the Singers from the curse that plagues them? Or because Asche is on a quest for power, as the Singer’s brethren believe, who are determined to bring him down? Caught in the middle of their fight, Vindt gets yet another unexpected opponent: his wayward feelings for someone he’s supposed to hate. When Asche’s enemies offer Vindt freedom in exchange for delivering Asche into their hands, Vindt has to make a choice.

Memories of Tomorrow by Noah Isaacs

For years, Aerym has felt that he was cursed, as if his very being was wrong. Some say that seeing isn’t always believing, but for Aerym, however, nothing could be farther from the truth. Fated to a life of catastrophe and ruin, the visions that plague Aerym's sleep always realize themselves, even when they depict his loved ones dying gruesome deaths before his eyes. Now, years after he watched everyone and everything he had ever known burn to ash, Aerym finds himself with his sole remaining companion, Jasper. Lost and without purpose, they bide their time until the inevitable comes; when Aerym is warned of their imminent demise... Yet even now he doubts if he's strong enough to combat what's to come. With little hope left for him and his friend, Aerym resigns to go far to the south, to the lands where magic is as common as war. To where he might get answers, and, if he's lucky, strength enough to gain control of his own life. Memories and prophecies guide them on their path to salvation, but the past lies, and the future speaks only in tragedies. Is it truly a blessing to know what's coming even if you're powerless to stop it?

Farzana’s Spite by Felix Graves

Life is about as good as it gets for an anxious and depressed bastard stripped of any social benefits of her caste. Farzana has a cushy job, a wonderful best friend, and a mother and younger brother who love her to bits. Then the faerie who abandoned her mother before she was born—the father she always hoped to meet—returns, brutally murders the royal family, and seizes the crown for himself. That comfortable life? Shattered. Slowly but inevitably, both the country and Farzana’s life are dragged into a terrifying and lethal storm of chaos. If someone doesn’t step up soon to set things right, there won’t be much left worth saving. Farzana’s Spite is a sapphic dark fantasy featuring a diverse cast doing their best to stay alive during a traumatic and tumultuous period. A blend of tragedy, romance, and mystery, this story was written for anyone ever made to believe they were broken beyond repair, and who needs a story to kill that thought once and for all.

Dark Oak by Jacob Sannox

Humanity has finally defeated the Dark Lord, but Morrick fought on the wrong side. Though he was a slave, he is branded a traitor and must earn the trust of new lords in order to return to his family - if they are still alive… Now that their common enemy is dead, the nobles begin to forget old loyalties, and Queen Cathryn’s realm looks set to plunge into war once more. But there are older and more terrible powers dwelling within the forest, and when they are awakened, Morrick will decide who lives or dies.

dyrwolf by Kat Kinney

Lea Wylder has spent so long hunting werewolves that now one is stalking her in her sleep. In the unforgiving forests of the north, shape-shifting wolves have enslaved the sole human city for hundreds of miles, driving survivors up into the mountains. When Lea tracks a shifter and finds him caught in a trap, she’s convinced he’s the white wolf from her dreams. Not that it matters. He’s one of them. And they’re at war. But as Lea pulls back the bowstring, Henrik shifts to human and begs her not to shoot. By name. But how could he possibly know her? In twenty years, the wolves have never crossed the river over to their side. Injured and unable to walk, Henrik needs Lea’s help to get back home. If he could be turned against the pack, it could change the course of the war. But first there’s the small problem of returning him to the wolves—without getting caught.

The Bastard from Fairyland by Phil Parker

He's Robin Goodfellow to those he knows. Or Puck, his psychotic alter-ego, to those he kills. Betrayed, banished and bitter, this fae warrior lives among human beings, they think he’s a demon. The teenagers he’s vowed to protect, despise him. But now the fae need his help, especially the man who betrayed him. He’s brought along Robin’s lover to guarantee his cooperation. Yet things are not as they seem. For shadowy forces within the fae have different plans. It’s not Robin they want. They need Puck. He's the perfect stooge to kill a king. What have people said about The Bastard from Fairyland? "This is effing brutal. There's blood, torture, death, violence, a world savaged by fae and under threat of total destruction. Loved it." "A well told tale which combines Celtic myths, Arthurian legends, dystopian visions of a world ravaged by climate change and some good old blood and guts battles. Oh, and dragons. What's not to love?" "The story unfolds at a cracking pace. Characterisation is excellent. The fight scenes are particularly evocative." "The prose is simply beautiful. It's a book that takes you to a Fantasy world unlike any other but also reflects our times in a very real way. A unique and fresh modern take on a genre that sorely needs more books like this."

A Crow Named Torment by Silas A. Bischoff

After a perfectly normal bird is captured by a perfectly deranged alchemist, and her soul is remade in torment, she rots in a cage, dreading her doom, awaiting the perfect moment … Escape lies in the dark secrets of her new mind, as does a disturbing new thirst for blood. Together with Vladimir, her feline companion in captivity, Torment sets out on a flight through realms of dreams and spirits in search of a way to break the curse that binds them to their master. But in the vast and strange worlds yonder dwell the discontented spirits of the dead, and Torment and Vladimir are as likely to uncover the truth they seek as they are to be lost forever, or consumed by the ancient darkness stirring in the depths of their alchemically altered souls. A novel filled with horrors lurking in the shadows, with whimsical creatures from strange worlds – a fable about journeys inward and onward into the unknown – featuring mad scholars, vampires from the dawn of time, animal familiars and giant slugs (among many other oddities). Perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett and Edgar Allan Poe, lovers of Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull and Otfried Preußler’s Krabat, for those who would like to see Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland meet Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in a modern dark fantasy.

Rubbles of Magrath by Natalie Kelda

Three months have passed since the Great Quake shook Magrath. Three months since Balfour lost Skye. The city lies in ruin and survival is only possible by scavenging. Every day they root through buildings filled with those killed in the earthquake that was meant to mark the end of the tarilla war. The war that still rages on. Balfour's biggest fear is to find Skye. Rotten and crushed under the rubble. But he knows where she In the starless vaults at the centre of town. Struggling to accept his loss, Balfour strays to the courtyard where he once spent a night beside Skye. But there he discovers an old enemy and that hope yet remains. Can he risk the people who have become his family for someone he has already lost and mourned? Rubbles of Magrath is the second book in a trilogy that can be read on its own or in connection with the first 3 books in the Inner Universe Series.

The Hallows by HL Tinsley

The Hallow serum was once sacred to the Auld Bloods. Used to gain access to their lost ancestral powers, now it is regulated and administered by the powerful Providence Company. Evolved from the echelons of the Auld Church, the company exists to maintain the balance between faith, science and politics. But keeping the peace between humans and Auld Bloods isn’t easy. Taking Hallow comes at a price. Providence Company Assessor Cam must deal with backstreet bootleggers, burnt-out addicts and floating nuns that won’t stay on the ground. When a string of Auld Blood deaths appear to have been caused by a corrupted batch of Hallow, Cam begins to suspect all may not be as it seems. Bodies are piling up. Someone is hiding something, and the consequences are becoming monstrous.

The Trials of Ildarwood: Spectres of the Fall by S. C. Selvyn

For 10,000 years, the Trials have been a sacred tradition... When Telara, Aiden, and their friends are banished into a vast crystal forest with everyone else their age, they truly believe they’re about to embark on some magical adventure. But sinister secrets and monstrous hunters lie in wait, including some that might bring the Trials to a swift and tragic end. Relentlessly stalked by ruthless Cynders—the corrupted remnants of past Trials—the children of Ranewood must unlock their elemental powers and unravel long-hidden mysteries to avoid the same fate. Discover who will rise and who will fall as the Trials officially begin!

The Trials of Ildarwood: Cinders in the Snow by S. C. Selvyn

Eleven-year-old Dasia Dulane has spent her entire life locked away in a snow-filled home—the unwilling guardian of a chilling family secret. But after her long-lost brother returns and promises freedom in the Ildarwood, she swiftly discovers the terrifying trials that await. Saved from monstrous hunters by a mysterious runaway named Tannus, Dasia must unravel the truth about her family and unlock her elemental gifts to secure her only chance at a brighter future. This story takes place nineteen years after the prequel novel and one year before the main series. All author royalties are donated to LGBTQ+ charities for at-risk youth.

The Trials of Ildarwood: Fall of the Forsaken by S. C. Selvyn

Eleven-year-olds Evalina and Tevaun have been locked away for years—her for hiding powerful stormborn gifts, and him for being cursed by pure darkness. But when mysterious forces inside the Ildarwood intervene to help them escape, they quickly discover why so few children ever return from the trials within. Forced to seek out new allies while evading soul-stealing creatures, they must find some way to change their tragic fates before time runs out.

Possession by Kit Walker

Burgling a quarantined ship should have been easy money. It wasn't. Now Danny and Eli, Saintstown's pettiest thieves, have a traumatized former captive on their hands and the city's most powerful fixer breathing down their neck. And that's just the start of their problems.

The Familiar by Kit Walker

Grace Foster's hunt for her husband's murderer has brought her to the city of Saintstown. But her quarry has killed again, and she'll need to rely on new, unexpected allies to bring her hunt to an end.

Armitage by Atlas Creed

From award-winning author Atlas Creed "Some memories, like scars, linger even after healing..." Haunted by her sister's mysterious disappearance, Rebekah battles grief, depression, and the unsettling presence of a Reaper who invades her mind. Drawn by the Reaper into a realm of souls, she confronts not only her despair but the chilling truth of her sister’s fate. Guided by a cunning witch and a Guardian imprisoned in her consciousness, Rebekah embarks on a desperate quest to free her sister from a terrible darkness. Meanwhile, FBI Special Agent Niko Ortez untangles a web of cold cases, including the disappearance of Rebekah’s sister, Nicole. The deeper he digs, the more sinister the trail becomes, pointing him to the foreboding Armitage Hotel. When a violent storm traps guests inside, tensions escalate and Niko's worst fears come to life. As Niko and Rebekah’s paths collide, long-buried secrets unravel, and they are forced to confront their own demons. Together, they race against time to expose the hotel’s dark past before it consumes them. Courage and resilience become their only weapons in this gripping battle against an evil that threatens to shatter reality itself.

The Forest Where the Phoenix Sleeps by Brooke Marley Jones

Walking home late one night, burned-out barista Nell accidentally incinerates someone. Whoopsie! Now, if this tale began in a fantastic, far-away land, or Nell were, perhaps, a wizard, such a mishap might make some kind of sense. But this is not a wondrous, fantasy world. This is real life, and Nell just wanted to go home and eat macaroni. As Nell stares upon the smoldering corpse, she realizes something with horrifying certainty: She’s magic. And not the cute, pulling-a-rabbit-from-a-hat kind of magic. Unfortunately, during Nell’s little outburst, she suffers a mortal injury. Fortunately, Darragh, a rugged and magical outcast, witnessed the entire incident. To save Nell’s life, Darragh whisks her away to a world where magic reigns. However, as is so often the case with magic, it comes at a price. In this harsh world, the entities that lurk in the darkest corners of Nell's nightmares await her in hungry anticipation. As Nell and Darragh vanquish monsters and ghouls, their affections for one another take root. Just when this treacherous tale is beginning to look like a love story, Darragh is captured by a wretched, cadaverous queen. Now, it’s up to Nell to save him The Forest Where the Phoenix Sleeps boasts portal magic reminiscent of A Darker Shade of Magic, the romance of A Court of Thorns and Roses, the action-packed adventure of Daughter of the Moon Goddess, and the humour of Tress of the Emerald Sea.